Online MSc in Shipping, 2014-15

Admission Requirements

Admission Criteria

• A score of 6.5 and above from a Greek University or a Ptychion of 7 and above from a TEI University

or

• A Second Class Honours degree from a UK university.

or

• A Bachelor from an American University with GPA 2.75 and above.
• Equivalent qualification.
• Graduates from the old Postgraduate Diploma in Shipping Studies (DMS) will be considered for admission.

English Language entry requirements

• IELTS: a minimum score of 6.0 (with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component of the test)
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): Grade C and above
• Michigan Proficiency (ECPE): 80% and above
• Pearson Academic: 56 (with a minimum score of 56 in each component of the test)
• Cambridge English Placement Test: from 69 and above
  

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Enlrolment

Enrolment is the process by which you will be formally admitted to BCA’s e-learning MSc Shipping course.  For the academic year 2014-15, there are four enrolment periods: Autumn 2014 for mid October 2014 start, Winter 2015 for mid January 2015 start, Spring 2015 for mid March 2015 start and Summer 2015 for mid June 2015 start.

Key Features

Access to the content of the programme is performed through our appropriately customised learning platform, and the material for each module consists of :

• full-length videos (approximately 25 hours per module) with English captions
• transparencies, notes and, where applicable, e-books
• self-assessment tests, webinars, and discussion fora
• web conferencing and continuous teacher support ( maximum 48 hour inquiry reply )
• access to the world largest e-resources ,including a full access to the CLARKSON’S database.

The main resources provided, are videos (approximately 25 hours in total per module) broken down in smaller pieces that maintain their didactic integrity. We have worked with professionals to develop these videos and we feel that the result is rewarding. You are encouraged to establish your own pace and learning style. The best part about this approach is that you can pause, rewind and fast forward the videos at will. This helps you keep notes and repeat difficult areas, and thus become an active participant rather than a passive listener.

Assessment Strategy

Assessments include individual research projects and courseworks as well as open book exams and a final dissertation. The mix of assessments provides the necessary balance between individual research work as well as a rigorous examination matrix. The modules also provide the opportunity for student self-assessment at various time points enabling students to gain feedback during the unfolding of modules. The final dissertation aims to provide the chance to undertake a high calibre research project applying the theoretical knowledge acquired throughout the course.

There will be 5 assessment periods each year as follows: February, April, June, September, and December. Students are entitled to sit each module for first time during one of the assessment periods within four months from their enrolment. According to academic regulations, if they fail they can resit only once in the next available assessment period. If they fail again, they have to retake the module and of course to pay again for this module. Students can retake only once each module. Should they fail again a retake module (after reassessment), they may be asked to leave the course.

Philosophy and Aims

The MSc in Shipping (e-learning) programme is designed for students and professionals, who wish to become familiar and expand their knowledge of the shipping sector, exploit the organisational and operational functions in shipping, and further examine and analyse the interrelationships and correlations of the shipping functions and areas to those of general management.

It is intended to develop analytical and research skills and focuses on the students’ ability to undertake research, work on their own while producing a major project to a specified deadline.

More specific, the educational aims of the course are:

• To provide and/or revisit the foundations in the Shipping industry, and build from there on a deep understanding of shipping business functions and operations.

• To provide a profound knowledge of shipping, and its characteristics, and assess its contribution in a country’s economy.

• To develop advanced generic business skills required by a shipping practitioner.

• To provide the practical and commercial considerations necessary to handle decision-making processes in the shipping sector from a management perspective.

• To provide the essential knowledge of the diverse subjects which comprise the shipping industry and an understanding of the relationships between them.

• To develop managerial skills in shipping.

• To develop the skills of critical analysis and apply them in shipping business cases and problems.

The MSc in Shipping is designed to be flexible in the choice of option subjects offered to students and being offered on a distance learning pattern of attendance is of specific interest to international students and professionals.  A number of designated themes have been established that enable students to pursue clearly defined shipping areas. In this way, it is envisaged that students will be able to specialise in areas of interest.

 Award Titles